In March, this year, the German Aerospace Center DLR launched the FALCon project (as in Formation flight for in-Air Launcher 1st stage Capturing demonstration). The aim of FALCon is to carry out cost-efficient and eco-friendly satellite transport. In order to achieve such a project, the DLR wants to focus on the return of rocket stages to the launch site as efficiently as possible for re-use. This is where Drone Rescue Systems GmbH comes in. Indeed, the parachute safety solution manufacturer will utilize its know-how to enable the recapturing of the stages in the air using a transport aircraft also called “rocket catcher”. “The capture and towing of rocket stages in flight, i.e. an autonomous and safe landing, is a particularly interesting topic for us as a manufacturer of parachute safety solutions”, comments Andreas Ploier, CEO of Drone Rescue Systems GmbH. The rocket stages will be captured over the sea and pulled into the vicinity of the landing site so they can land independently.

The project FALCon spreads over three years until February 2022. During this period Drone Rescue Systems will collaborate with five other international members of the DLR’s project, namely Embention, Soft2tec, the Von Karman Institute, the Institute of Mechanics - BAS and Astos Solutions Romania. The research project has already carried out initial flight experiments with unmanned small aircraft.